PRO FOOTBALL

PRO FOOTBALL; Friendship No Factor, Say Coslet, Esiason

BY TIMOTHY W. SMITH,

Published: July 24, 1993

HEMPSTEAD, L.I., July 23—
Jets Coach Bruce Coslet doesn't want to hear anyone whining, "Teacher's pet!" when it comes to his relationship with quarterback Boomer Esiason. So he spent time this morning dispelling any notion that the quarterback would be treated favorably just because they have a friendship dating back to their days together in Cincinnati.

Coslet and Esiason, who came to the Jets this April in a trade with the Bengals, developed a close relationship in the late 1980's when Coslet was the Bengals' offensive coordinator and Esiason was the team's starting quarterback. Coslet acknowledges that the two remain good friends, but he said he won't let that impede the coach-player relationship that often involves heavy criticism and stringent discipline.

"We both know there is a line and we've never crossed it," Coslet said. "I think that will remain even though I'm the head coach now instead of an assistant coach. He's a player on a team that I just happen to be the head coach on. There is a line that we will not cross in that player-coach relationship even though we are friends." No Taking Advantage

Esiason said he has never held himself up as the coach's favorite.

"I've never felt that," Esiason said. "I don't think I've ever acted that way. You're not going to see me walking hand-in-hand with my arm around him or anything like that. The reality is that he is the head coach and he's got to make decisions. Some of those decisions we all will agree with and some of them we won't."

Esiason said Coslet has always been a player's coach and has other close relationships on the team, comparing the coach's handling of receiver Rob Moore with the way Coslet had worked with the Bengals' Eddie Brown.

"I see the way he handles Browning and Jeff, much the way he did when I was younger," Esiason said, referring to the other quarterbacks Browning Nagle and Jeff Blake.

"In no way, shape or form am I any different or treated any differently," Esiason said. "If anything I'm probably held to a higher standard."

Nagle said he doesn't have a problem with Coslet's friendship with Esiason and doesn't think Coslet and Esiason should alter their friendship just to make other players comfortable.

"We're all man enough to know that Bruce is good with players and it's just a good example that he and Boomer have a good relationship," Nagle said. "There's no jealousy in that situation. It's just that they know each other very well."

Nagle doesn't think the relationship will get in the way of the competition for the starting quarterback job, which the coach maintains is completely open. Nagle believes he has got a good shot at getting his job back, despite the sentiment that Esiason is the favorite. Nagle started 13 games last year but finished as the 27th-rated quarterback in the league.

"I believe in my abilities and I'm confident in my ability," he said. "I believe that going through what I did last year will make me a much better quarterback at this point. I'm not paying attention to what is said and what they think as far as bringing Boomer in.

"Nothing has been said," Nagle continued, referring to who the starter will be. "If it was in cement, they would publicly announce it. They would say, 'Boomer is our starter and Browning is our second string and we're going to go at it that way.' In some circles it's assumed, which is fine. Everyone has an opinion, and my opinion is I'm going to do the best I can for that not to be true." EXTRA POINTS

Right before the start of his press conference Friday morning, Coach BRUCE COSLET bolted from his seat, screaming "That's hot!" With most people in the room still silent from the shock, Coslet let on that he was joking about the references that he is on the hot seat this year coming off a 4-12 season. . . . Coslet said it's time to give the much maligned offensive line, particularly the left side of guard DAVE CADIGAN and tackle JEFF CRISWELL, a break from criticism until the season starts. "We think our line is not the strongest in the league," the coach said. "I don't want to paint a rosy picture. But they're capable of being highly efficient." . . . The days of running back by committee could be over for the Jets. Coslet said the winner in the competition between BLAIR THOMAS and JOHNNY JOHNSON will probably be the main rusher this year. . . . Defensive end JEFF LAGEMAN, coming off reconstructive knee surgery, will participate in just one of the two-a-day practices for the time being. . . . Players underwent physical exams Friday and will have their first practice at 9:15 A.M. Saturday.

Photos: The close relationship between Boomer Esiason, left, and Coach Bruce Coslet does not bother Browning Nagle, right, who said said he didn't think it would affect their competition for the starting quarterback job. (Photographs by Steve Berman for The New York Times)